Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Orangemen players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of O'Shae Brissett (14 points), Chris McCullough (25 points), and Malachi Richardson (25 points).
#1. Canadian O'Shae Brissett, a 6'7'' small forward at 27 years old, graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent Israeli Winner League game, Brissett led Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv to a convincing 106-90 victory over the eighth-ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva, contributing 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 23 minutes of play. Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv, with a record of 24-2, sits comfortably atop the standings in the Places 1-8 group, thanks in part to Brissett's stellar performance. This win marked the team's 19th consecutive victory, highlighting their dominance in the league. Despite this being Brissett's first season with the team, he has quickly made an impact, averaging 10.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. His remarkable display against Hapoel Beer Sheva further demonstrated his skills and determination on the court, cementing his reputation as a champion in the making.
#2. Chris McCullough, a 31-year-old former Orangemen alum from 2015, currently playing professionally in the Philippines, showcased his talent for Talk N Text Tropang Giga in a recent game last Wednesday. Despite his stellar performance, the TNT Tropang Giga, who are currently 6-6, narrowly lost 102-100 to the second-ranked Kings in an away game. McCullough put on a remarkable display on the court, securing a double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds, along with contributing 4 assists in a total of 47 minutes of gameplay. His outstanding performance against the Ginebra Kings earned him recognition and the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. Throughout the season, McCullough has consistently delivered impressive stats, averaging 28.3 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game, and 3.8 assists per game. Notably, McCullough holds both American and Filipino citizenship, allowing him to play in the Philippines as a domestic player, further enhancing his impact on the league.
#3. Malachi Richardson, a 6'6'' guard who graduated from Syracuse in 2016, is currently playing professionally in the Dominican Republic. Despite his impressive performance last Sunday, where he scored 25 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and added 1 assist, he couldn't prevent his team, the Reales, from being defeated by the Metros, who are ranked lower in the league standings. As the top scorer in the game, Richardson showcased his skills on the court, but unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for the Reales. The loss was a setback for the first-placed Reales in the league standings, with a record of 8-9. Although the team has only one more game left in the Second Stage, it will be crucial for their playoff hopes. Richardson has been having an outstanding season individually, averaging 19.6 points per game, which ranks him fourth in the league, along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His contributions have been vital for the team throughout the season.
#4. Dutch Jesse Edwards, a 26-year-old center standing at 6'11" and an alum of Mountaineers in 2024, previously played for Syracuse from 2019 to 2023 where he earned the All-ACC Third Team award. Currently, he is showcasing his skills as a professional player in Spain. In a recent game, Edwards played a crucial role in Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's triumph over the closely-ranked Joventut with a score of 85-71 in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Despite only playing for 15 minutes, he managed to contribute 6 points and 4 rebounds to the team's success. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, currently holding the third position in the league with a record of 25-9, has been on a winning streak, securing their sixth consecutive victory. Edwards' notable performance against Joventut not only showcased his skills on the court but also significantly aided in his team's victory, helping them emerge as the finalist. Throughout the season, Edwards has been maintaining an average of 4.4 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game, proving to be a valuable asset to his team.
#5. Elijah Hughes, a talented 6'6'' guard/forward who graduated from Syracuse in 2020 and received the USBWA All-District II Team award, currently showcases his basketball skills playing professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in Gigantes de Carolina's narrow 82-81 victory over the sixth-ranked Osos, contributing 9 points in just 15 minutes of play. His performance not only helped secure the win but also demonstrated his ability to make a significant impact on the court as a finalist. Hughes' team, Gigantes de Carolina, currently holds the third position in Group B, thanks in part to their recent three-game winning streak, with Hughes playing a key role in each victory. In a standout performance against Manati, Hughes scored 9 points and grabbed 1 rebound, playing a pivotal role in leading his team to success. His consistent contributions and impressive skills highlight his potential as a champion in the making. This season, Hughes has been averaging 6.3 points per game, showcasing his scoring ability and value to his team. With his dedication to improving and making an impact on the court, Hughes continues to prove himself as a promising player with the potential to achieve great success as a champion in the world of basketball.
#6. Jyare Davis, a 6'7'' forward and 24-year-old Orangemen alumni from the class of 2025, currently plays professionally in Montenegro. In a recent matchup against Buducnost, Davis showcased his skills by contributing 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 25 minutes of play. Despite his commendable performance, Derby was unable to secure a victory and suffered a 23-point defeat with a final score of 104-81. Davis, with an average of 7.7 points per game and 1.6 rebounds per game this season, continues to demonstrate his talent and determination on the court.
#7. Benny Williams, a 24-year-old 6'10'' forward who graduated from UCF in 2025 and previously played at Syracuse from 2021 to 2024, showcased his skills in the Australian NBL One (second division) by aiding the Hills Hornets in their 82-74 victory over the eighth-ranked Bulls on Sunday night. Despite scoring just 4 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 16 minutes, Williams made a significant impact on the game. In another notable performance against Inner WB, he contributed 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, ultimately helping his team secure the victory and claim the champion title. Throughout the season, Williams has maintained an average of 2.2 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game.
#8. Experienced champion Rick Jackson, standing at 6'9'' and 37 years old, is an alumnus of the Orangemen from 2011. Known for his skills, he currently plays professionally in Uruguay. In a recent game last Thursday, Jackson, the All-Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, unfortunately couldn't lead his team, Urupan (0-1), to victory. Despite his commendable effort, Urupan fell short with a score of 81-89 on the road against the formidable Olimpia, ranked #3. During the game, Jackson showcased his talent by achieving a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Additionally, he contributed 4 blocks during his 38 minutes on the court. This game marked his debut for Urupan this season, and he made a strong impact against Olimpia, displaying his prowess on both offense and defense. However, even with his remarkable performance, the team was unable to emerge victorious against their opponents.
Other former Syracuse University players, who play in pro basketball:
Tyler Ennis (6'2''-PG-1994, played in 2013-14) plays for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv in Israeli Winner League
Cole Swider (6'9''-PF-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Joseph Girard III (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Trabzonspor in Turkish BSL
Buddy Boeheim (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
Jerami Grant (6'8''-F-1994, played in 2012-14) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA
Judah Mintz (6'3''-SG-2003, played in 2022-24) plays for Glint Manisa Basket in Turkish BSL
Jaquan Carlos (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Lodz in Polish 1Liga
Jimmy Boeheim (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Oliveirense in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Lucas Taylor (6'5''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for KK Radnicki Gorazde in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Marek Dolezaj (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Armann in Icelandic Subway League
Naheem McLeod (7'4''-C-2000, played in 2023-25) plays for Rahoveci in Kosovan Superliga
Rakeem Christmas (6'9''-F/C-1991, played in 2011-15) plays for Hangtuah in Indonesian IBL
Howard Washington (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2017-20) played for Buffalo eXtreme in the ABA few monts ago
Bourama Sidibe (6'10''-C-1997, played in 2017-22) played for ABC in Ivorian National 1 last year
Donte Greene (6'11''-C-1988, played in 2007-08) played for Raleigh Firebirds in the TBL last year
Wesley Johnson (6'7''-SF-1987, played in 2008-08) played for LA Riot in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Syracuse University basketball alumni.
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